//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: Dinner Before Dawn 
// Story: Spheres 
// by Neon Icy Wings 
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The sound of soft patter upon the cobblestone streets of lower Canterlot signified Prism's journey to Hotcake's Diner, trotting and looking for the tell tale neon sign glow. As the glow came into view she was drawn to it, like a moth to a flame and stepped through the door; The familiar, soft, bell chime telling of her entrance.

The middle aged Hotcake smiled widely as she looked up from her light, dish cleaning. "Ah, Prism! Didn't expect to see ya for awhile! Anything particular bring ya back to my diner?"

Prism returned the smile, taking a seat at the bar Hotcake was wiping down out of habit. "Weeeelll, while it's always a treat to eat here, I was more hoping Storm might have been here. Cause... well I forgot to ask him where his hotel is and what his number was." She rubbed the back of her head, embarrassment awash on her face.

Hotcake chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, Prism. All these years and ya still haven't gained much forethought."

Prism gave a fake huff, crossing her forelegs. "To be fair I've had a lot on my mind recently. The move going faster than I expected, a certain annoyance I can't talk about currently. The Princess herself giving me favors!" That particular piece of information caused Hotcake's eyes to widen in shock.

"The Princess gave you favors?!"
"The Princess gave you favors?!"

Both Prism and Hotcake were caught off guard by the voice that mirrored Hotcake's sentiment. Hotcake leaned to see around the pegasus, while Prism herself turned to see the face of Storm, who shared Hotcake's shock. Prism silently thanked the stars that Storm happened along and that they appeared to be the only ones at the front of the Diner at that late hour to hear their shock.

Prism smiled at Storm. "Ah! Was hoping to see your mug here! Take a seat and listen to my glistening tale!"

Storm did so, turning to his friend. "How the heck did you get favors out of one of the Princesses?" He asked, Hotcake nodding along, wanting the answer as well.

Prism shrugged, a bit of annoyance crossing her face. "I honestly don't know! She just said some stuff about me being a beloved worker in the Castle and being the best gardener for the gardens in years and said she wanted to do nice things for me, as, apparently she likes to give favors for employees. Going away parties, or like me, letting me not worry about my two weeks and even arrange all of my stuff to be sent to Ponyville for me. And she gave me a nice little pep talk and everything!"

Storm quirked his eye brow. "Wow. Have you ever had that much of a one on one with the Princess before?"

Prism shook her head. "No. I work in the gardens. Even when she did go for a walk in the gardens, which was rare enough, it always felt like a bad idea to interrupt her, ya know? She spends all day dealing with nobles, guards and such so I doubt she'd want to be badgered by a gardener as well in one of those few moments of peace and quiet."

Hotcake shook her head once more as she chuckled. "Well, you've never been that much of a social butterfly as it is Prism. I mean, ya never even came to see me in all these years after nopony was around to drag ya around. So chances of ya talking to a Princess outta your own conscious decision was pretty much zilch."

Storm frowned at this, giving Prism a light glare. "Pris... Did you just, for all these years, wake up, work, go home and only shop when needed?"

Prism felt a few beads of sweat trickle from her brow under Storm's glare as she averted her own gaze. "W-w-well! I, uh, ya see... Yes."

Storm groaned in frustration, practically punching himself in the face with his hoof. "Dang it Prim." 

Prism practically seemed to shrink at her friends words. "Sorry..."

Storm sighed, shaking his head. "You should be apologizing yourself. No wonder you don't have any ties to Canterlot anymore, you never tried to make any new ones." He looked up, and upon seeing his friends down expression, he put a wing around her back, giving her a small smile. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you actually go out, do stuff and make friends other than me and Snow. Even if I have to drag you out of the house by your feathers."

Prism gave an apologetic smile. "Well, past in the past. Let's order a pizza or something and you can tell me about Ponyville." She said, seemingly trying to shift the conversation, which Storm obliged. They could always talk about it later.

Hotcake waited patiently as Storm thought. "Hmm, how about a dandelion pizza, heavy on garlic to share?"

As Prism nodded, Hotcake gave the two a wink. "Alrighty kiddos, I'll be back with your order!"

As Hotcake walked away the two friends turned to each other, Prism deciding to prompt the conversation, "So, I know Ponyville is equal parts lazy and crazy. But what about ponies, events or the such?"

Storm chuckled, not needing much time to think up some examples. "Well, there's my boss Rainbow Dash for one. Kinda lazy, yet really driven. Kinda fits the description of 'Ponyville weather manager' to a T. Mostly lazy weather with a few wild storms from the Everfree to deal with. Pinkie Pie is hard to explain and you should meet her yourself so you won't think I'm crazy." That part caught Prism's attention. What could possibly be about that pony to be so fantastic?

Storm continued, "Only other major pony I can think of off the top of my head is Twilight, kinda town librarian and just a general help all around, and of course personal student under Celestia. For places there's the Apple's farm. Just some real nice apples at nice prices, but their cider is to die for! While Ponyville is a tad smaller than other towns, we have a good clothier in Carousel Boutique, some nice nick nacks at Barnyard Bargains, Sugar Cube Corner is the go to sweet shop, and then pretty much anything else you can think of. Well, not a, uh 'gentlestallions club' but pretty much anything this side of that type of entertainment should be there."

Prism chuckled. "Sounds almost like a small city to me."

"It's densely packed." He shrugged. "There's plenty to do, and lots of ponies to do it with. Though... the ponies can be a bit quirky and can drag you into their nonsense kinda easily."

Prism quirked her eyebrow. "Really?  It can't be that bad."

Storm looked at Prism with a completely straight face and said, "The whole town once worked itself up about a zebra herbalist from the Everfree forest so much it took the three big ponies I just told you about, plus their other friends mistaking poison joke for a hex  and seeking her out for the town to stop being a bunch of wusses. They abandoned their stalls and hid in their homes whenever Zecora came to town before the poison joke scenario!"

Prism gave her friend a blank look. "You hid too. Didn't you." It wasn't even a question.

Storm's straight face broke, trying to conceal his embarrassment. "N-no!" Prism's unflinching look forced him to sigh. "Ugh, ye-" Before he could finish Hotcake plopped a large circle of tasty and two drinks between the two. "Yeah pizza!"

"Eat up ya two, before it gets cold!"

They each began to eat their own slices, Prism spoke between chews, "Ya told meh about some ofa big shotsh, but whatcha bout anypony more pershonal?"

Storm swallowed his own bite of pizza, giving Prism a quizzical look. "If you're trying to imply anything the answer is no, but I hangout with a few ponies. Some from the weather team from time to time like Thunderlane, Flitter and Cloudchaser. I occasionally hang out with a new pony in town, well, less new and more 'is actually leaving her house more after months of being a hermit so it feels like she's a new pony' Noct. Plus a few other regulars around town. Zecora incident aside, everypony is fairly friendly if you are." He paused to take a bite, savoring the cheesy goodness alongside his foalhood friend, like old times.

Prism chuckled. "What? Are you a ladies stallion now?"

That particular comment almost caused Storm to choke on previously state cheesy goodness. After clearing his throat he responded, flustered, "N-no, I'm not. Gah. Ponyville just has a heavy gender imbalance. Like two to one."

Prism gave an amused look to her friend. "So, what you're saying is I can find the mare of my dreams in Ponyville? I step off the train and, like, Rainbow Dash sweeps me off my wings?"

Storm thought he was prepared for anything Prism could say and was safe to enjoy more of the wonderful cheese. Safe to say he was wrong as the visual of his radical, brash, tomboy boss acting lovey dovey towards his foalhood friend caused him to fall into redoubled fits of coughs and laughter.

Prism made a look of mock hurt at Storm's laughter. "What? Is she too good for me?"

Storm took a deep breath, getting the few last laughs out of his system before talking, "I'll tell you, I won't even pretend to know Rainbow's preferences, but you know what? If you want to, go for it. Heh."

Prism giggled. "Well, I'll have to get to know her first before proclaiming my eternal love for her. Besides, what would Snowy think?"

Storm chuckled with a sigh. "Poor Snow is never gonna live that down is she?"

Prism smiled and shook her head. "Nope." She took some time to chew before a thought came to her. "Hey, Storm. You ever hang out with Rainbow Dash before?"

He thought over his time in Ponyville. "It's far from a normal occasion. But we did hang out a few times, but never one on one. Always business stuff or happenstance meetings around town or at parties that last a few minutes at best. I guess I'm just not cool enough for her!" He said, the last part more for comedic effect than anything.

Prism snickered and played along. "Rainbow Dash is just too cool for all of us! Like, how can we even compare with Miss Sonic Rainboom herself?!"

Like they read the other's mind they brought both of their forehooves to meet the other's, Storm continuing their self deprecation, "She's just too awesome to hangout with us lame-os! To her we must just be- be-!"

The two pegasus jokesters pressed their heads together, cheek to cheek as they spoke in unison.

"Background ponies!"
"Background ponies!"

They both broke down into fake sobs that quickly morphed into uncontrolled laughter while Hotcake watched, shaking her head at the two. "Ya two are something else I tell ya what."

The two friends went on to chat and devour their pizza in peace after their joking energies died down. With Storm telling Prism about a few other ponies here and there, and the more exciting moments the town provided until their pizza had run out and the night had began to age.

Storm let out a contented sigh, stretching lightly. "Welp. I think it's time I headed back to my hotel."

Before he even got up Prism spoke, "Hmm, how about you stay at my place tonight?" Seeing his quizzical look she added more details to her thought. "Like, grab your stuff and then head to my place so we're together in the morning instead of meeting up like this we're together off the bat. Like, maybe grab breakfast then grab an early train to Ponyville. Cause I don't wanna find things to do in Canterlot. No reason to make ties now right?"

Storm's quizzical look quickly faded into a warm smile. "Sure thing Pris. Let's grab my stuff, didn't bring too much so it won't be that hard."

As the two left a tip each and headed for the door they were held back by Hotcake's voice, "Now I want to see ya two in here for breakfast tomorrow, okay? Wanna send ya off properly."

They both smiled at Hotcake, Prism giving a nod. "Of course Hotcake."

Storm and Prism exited the diner and began trotting down the road, Prism turning to Storm. "So, what hotel have you been staying at these past few days?"

"Been staying at Iron Hurdles." Prism winced at the establishment's name. "What? I heard good things before I left and it's been a good stay!"

"Yeah... it's just there's been rumors ever since there was a change in management." She said, averting her gaze.

Storm's face paled. "What kinda rumors?"

"You don't wanna know."

Storm stopped and put a wing over Prism's back. "No seriously, what rumors?"

Prism stopped alongside her friend and looked him in the eye. "Listen. You don't wanna know. Array told Blazy. I told her not to tell me but she did. So I'm telling you, you don't wanna know!"

Nothing was scarier to Storm at that moment than whatever was going on at Iron Hurdles. If there was any part of him that didn't want to stay at Prism's, it was totally obliterated into a thousand and one little pieces. To the point that the look of absolute horror had Discord in stitches within Prism's mind.

As the two pegasi began their jaunt once more Prism turned her attention inward, as Storm was too busy letting his imagination have it's way with him. 'I was wondering where you guys were. I was honestly expecting you to screw with me at every turn.'

Discord chuckled his signature chuckle. 'Well let it never be said Discord doesn't enjoy the simple things in life. Besides seeing you two pow-wow it up back there was quite quaint. Quaint quite. This was the point of the deal was it not? Oh, and if you want to know where K is, I put him in time out. Now HE would have been absolutely insufferable!'

Prism hummed in appreciation of the Chaos spirit. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad after all!

While it was awfully silent between the two pegasi, and maybe a bit mean on Prism's part, she found his continued expression of sheer terror too amusing. She maintained the silence until they stood in front of a industrial looking hotel. While still fitting of the Canterlot aesthetic, it stood out for its darker pallet compared to its neighboring buildings. "Never liked this place. Even before the rumor mill hit it."

"... I kinda liked it. Before the rumor mill hit it."

They entered the darkly colored hotel, the inside pretty much matching the inside with the exception of the red carpet on the floor. Well, that and the bored looking scarlet mare behind the counter. They moved past said mare, heading towards the stairwell. "Well, it looks nice at least. Guess ignorance is really bliss with this place."

Storm whined a bit, "It's not fair. I'm ignorant and paranoid now!"

While Storm complained they went up the carpeted stairs which revealed a nice surprise, as Prism was relieved to discover his room was only on the second floor. A much better climb compared to her own apartment stairs.

A quick trot up two flights and they found themselves in front of Storm's room, which Prism was intrigued to see inside of. "You know, I've never actually seen inside one of these things."

Storm shrugged, unlocking the door. "It's nice, nothing special though."

Storm opened the door, revealing a lightly furnished room that should have been comfy looking, but somehow it exuded the feeling of a long term hospital room. While Prism would admit it was 'nicer' than her own apartment, it just felt artificial, even by hotel standards. "'Nice,' huh? Looks-wise sure, but feels off."

Storm turned from Prism to the room. "Hmm, maybe."

Prism instantly grew bored of the hotel, and simply leaned against the wall while Storm gathered his few things he had brought. While waiting, a dark purple unicorn with a dark two toned mane and wearing a heavy coat with an upturned collar had come from around a nearby corner. She didn't pay him a second glance. She'd seen her fair share of weird ponies in Canterlot, whether it be nobles partaking in the latest, weird fashion trend or the weirder tourists from time to time. So a detective looking pony didn't intrigue her too much.

That is, until he stopped and spoke to her. "Hey." His voice was lighter than she expected. Either way she turned to the stallion and cocked an eyebrow, prompting him to continue. "I was hoping you could tell me where the Canterlot Central Museum is? Ugh, I looked all day today and couldn't find it."

Prism scrunched her face up as she thought about it's location. "It should beee.... like, you know  the train station? Should be able to go down the main street, take a left and you should be able to see it along the way,"

The stallion let out a relieved sigh. "Ah, thank you. I've been there over a dozen times and I still can't find it on my first day back! Every time!"

Prism's eyebrow rose back into position. "You've been here multiple times and still can't remember the location of a central and well known institution and landmark? Why didn't you ask for directions while you were out looking?"

He merely gave her a resigned look, one she identified with far too much. "Like every time. I was overcome with such embarrassment that I stubbornly marched across Canterlot like a lost foal until I stewed in my own shame to the point I could stomach the thought of asking for directions." All Prism's face held was kinship and sympathy which seemed to open the stallion up a bit more. "I mean. I spend all my time going around weird places I've never seen in my life and maneuver through them without a hitch, but I can't navigate a place I've been to more times than I can count? What's wrong with me?"

A small smile made its way onto Prism's face as the stallion talked. "Take it from me, the universe loves to screw with ya by making the simplest things more complex than the craziest spell. Maybe make a map?"

The stallion gave a simple shrug. "Tried keeping a map. Lost it."

"Wow." Prism said, marveling at the stallion's apparent inability to navigate Canterlot by any means.

He rubbed the back of his head. "Eh, I live with it. Either way thanks for your help. Name's Quill by the way. Might see ya around in my travels."

Prism waved her wing in goodbye as the stallion trotted towards and down the steps. Interesting fellow, she thought, though she doubted she'd see him again.

Discord hummed within Prism's mind. 'Hmm, odd fellow wasn't he?'

Prism turned her eyes upward imagining a Discord above her. 'Eh. At this point you and the freaky twins are my new base level for weird. It will take a universal topsy turvy on my senses to faze me now.'

It would be a bit longer until Storm stepped out of his hotel room. "What took ya so long? I was able to give directions and have a small chat with a dude while you were getting your stuff."

Storm was wearing his saddle bags, of course, and looked a bit abashed. "I, uh, couldn't find my toothbrush for a moment."

Prism shook her head lightly. "Heh. Come on ya goof. Let's get ya checked outta here and go home." 

The process went faster and simpler than Prism had expected out of the Iron Hurdle. The scarlet mare behind the front desk spoke with a monotone inflection, with maybe a hint of annoyance hidden within the depths of her soul creeping forth in said monotone, "What hurdles may I help you with at this incredibly late hour, dearest customer?"

Storm held out his hoof, holding his room key. "I would like to check out now, please. Name's Storm Watch."

The mare took the key without missing a beat, while quickly flipping through some sort of record book. "Storm Watch, Storm, Storm, Watch, Storm... Alright, seems like everything's in order. Have a nice night, sir."

"Uh, night." 

The two friends left the dark hotel and ventured back up the street they used to get to the Iron Hurdle. They walked until Prism's apartment complex was before them. Storm smiled warmly at the old complex. "Been forever since I've been in there."

They passed through the double doors, the front desk once again helmed by a sleeping gray unicorn. Prism pressed a hoof to her lips and 'shooshed' Storm, bidding him to be quiet until they stepped into the stairwell. "Mr. Lock Key is always sleeping at the desk. I'm beginning to think he lives at that desk."

Storm quirked an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you clear everything with him as soon as possible? I mean he's right there."

Prism tilted her head and groaned. "Maaaaybe... but at this hour? I'll just do it in the morning. So as not to bother him at this late hour. He's always there anyway. Seriously. Been here all my life and he's only been gone on Hearth's Warming."

Storm shrugged lightly, a sheepish look on his face. "But if he's gone..."

Prism returned his question with a resigned look and statement, "If he's gone in the morning then may Celestia strike me down when I stand in front of his empty front desk."

Storm shook his head at his friend's stubbornness. "Your funeral. I'm sure Pinkie would love to make a happy funeral party. She loves doing new parties." Prism stuck her tongue out at her friend as she let him into her home, which he looked around fondly. "This place hasn't changed at all."

Prism chuckled. "That's me! Prism! Never changes anything ever!" She was glad Storm was more interested in looking over the room in nostalgia, as both K and Discord let out heavy 'HA's into her mind's ear, causing her to glare in no particular direction. She shook her head to clear it. "But, I guess we should be getting to bed to get up early tomorrow."

Storm mockingly groaned like a foal. "Oh, but I don't wanna get up early in the morning!"

Prism messed with Storm's mane lightly, giving him a playful glare. "Too bad. I don't wanna keep Hotcake waiting, and I don't wanna miss the morning train. I don't know their routes but I assume fewer trains run by Ponyville and I don't want to wait longer than I have to." 

Storm chuckled shoved Prism's hoof off. "Heh, fine. I assume the other bed is still here?" After Prism nodded he trotted towards the other room. "Well, night Pris! Wake me if you wake up first and I'll wake you up if I wake first."

Prism sighed as she simply threw her hoodie on the floor, the day feeling overwhelmingly tiring to her due to all the days events. She simply turned off all of the lights in her room and flopped onto her bed, Discord and K's presence clear in her mind once more.

'So. how was-'

'Discord muzzled me!' K's high pitched voice screeched in anger. 'I was only able to laugh that once cause he loosed his control SLIGHTLY!'

Discord scoffed in exasperation. 'Well, excuse me for trying to keep our cover nice and comfy!' K attempted to say something, but Discord quickly and decisively cut him off, 'I don't want to hear a peep out of you! If Prism is too busy trying to block us out or has a hard time stifling her reactions to our japes then her friends will be worrying over her too much to get a move on! And the last thing we need is for some two bit hack to detect foreign magics within her and freak everypony out even more!'

Prism gave a sigh, one of simultaneous relaxation from her cushy bed and of annoyance at her headmates. "Either way. Can you guys not drag me into one of those dreamscape things? I want to have a nice sleep for my big day tomorrow, alright?"

K begrudgingly agreed, but Discord was more than willing to preserve his chaos supply. 'Just know, my dear, you best learn to isolate your reactions of your mind and body soon. For I do not know when my hospitality will run dry.'

Prism would hate to admit it but Discord had a point, if a trio of weird beings dancing in her head was to be the new normal, it would be best to get used to it. Regardless she yawned and snuggled deeper into her cushy bed while mumbling, "Night ya guys..." As she let the darkness of sleep take a hold of her. A feeling of an accomplished day accompanying her into her dreams.